Evidence-based practice is a technique that is used in public health and health to decision-makers about best practices for patient care and public health interventions (National Center for Healthy Children, 2020). Often the decisions are made due to clinical trial findings, clinical expertise, and conclusions that are made from respected personnel. Interventions are established as evidence-based in public health by making sure that the study/intervention has been peer-reviewed, documented empirical evidence of effectiveness (American Association for Nurse Practitioners, 2020). Evidence-based interventions use a continuum of integrated policies, strategies, activities, and services whose effectiveness has been proven or informed by research and evaluation.Healthy People 2020 is an evidence-based practice that has been around for years. The use of Healthy People 2020 has allowed many public health agencies to make wiser decisions in policy, community health, and outreach because they are better aware of the population they are serving (Healthy People, 2020). Without evidence-based practices, people can get harmed. For instance, in the late 1980s over 30,000 women received bone marrow transplants to treat cancer. Yet, later studies found that this treatment was not effective for the women they were treating. As a result, the women who had already received the treatment began to die earlier and suffered more because of cancer (Healthy People, 2020). As a result, due to evidence-based practice at a later time, the method was banned.It is important to choose an evidence-based practice in the field of public health and health care because the techniques found in evidence-based practice aim to provide the most effective care that is available, with the aim of improving patient outcomes (American Association for Nurse Practitioners, 2020). More importantly, patients expect to receive the most effective care based on the best available evidence. The evidence-based practice promotes an attitude of inquiry in health professionals and starts us thinking about: Why am I doing this in this way? Is there evidence that can guide me to do this in a more effective way? As health professionals, part of providing a professional service is ensuring that our practice is informed by the best available evidence. Evidence-based practice also plays a role in ensuring that finite health resources are used wisely and that relevant evidence is considered when decisions are made about funding health services. Not taking interest or not prioritizing evidence-based practice can cost someone their life and or jeopardize someone’s health outcomes.References:American Association for Nurse Practitioners. (2020). Why choose evidence-based practice. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/why-choose-evidence-based-practiceHealthy People (2020). Evidence-based clinical and public health. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/sites/default/files/EvidenceBasedClinicalPH2010.pdfNational Center for Healthy Children. (2020). Evidence-based practice. Retrieved from https://healthysafechildren.org/topics/evidence-based-interventions
